Chicagoans feel pain at the pump after pipeline rupture

August 3, 2012

Jewell Washington

Chicago drivers were hit by a nearly 50-cent spike in gas prices this week. That’s due to a pipeline that ruptured last Friday spilling about 1,200 barrels of oil in Wisconsin — cutting off a key supply of oil to Illinois’ region.

Friday’s average price for a gallon of gas in Chicago is $4.25, according to gasbuddy.com.

Patrick Dehaan is a senior petroleum analyst that works with the gas tracking website. He said Illinois has experienced the biggest price jump of forty-four cents per gallon.

“There’s not much motorists can do about this except for driving a little bit smarter when prices are higher, driving more defensively, reducing their demand and combining trips,” he said.

Meanwhile, drivers at a Mobil gas station near Wicker Park said they’re feeling the effects of a lower oil supply.

Patrice Shad said she won’t be able to fill her car’s gas tank until prices drop.

“I would like to see a 50-cent decrease or better but I’m pretty sure it won’t be that dramatic. But I guess I don’t have a choice, I have to drive a car,” she said.

“I spend like $70-$80 a week on gas and that ain’t cool,” driver Orlando Jackson added.